Most of us have watched the movie Kantara.
The Daiva shown in Kantara is Panjurli Daiva and Guliga Daiva ,a spirit deeply worshipped in the Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka.Let us begin with Panjurli Daiva.. According to one popular belief, long ago, Goddess Parvathi was walking through a dense forest when she saw a baby piglet crying beside its dead mother. Moved by compassion, she took the little one with her and raised it like her own child. As time passed, the piglet grew into a mighty wild boar with immense strength. But that power became restless. Annoyed by its growing tusks, the boar began destroying crops, plants, and food in the forest. The disturbance reached the heavens, and Lord Shiva became angry, preparing to punish the creature. At that moment, Parvathi intervened. She understood that the boar’s strength was not a flaw, but a force without direction. She declared that such power was not meant for the heavens, but for the Earth—to protect it, not destroy it. Accepting her words, Lord Shiva sent the boar down to Earth with a purpose. From that moment, the boar became Panjurli Daiva.
In Kantara, Panjurli is not shown as a god who fights with weapons. He is a guardian who moves with the land itself. People believe that villages which worship Panjurli are protected from crop destruction, disease, and injustice. During Daiva rituals, it is said that Panjurli walks around the village, placing an invisible shield of protection. Those who harm forests or disrespect nature are believed to face divine justice. That is why Panjurli appears in the form of a boar—an animal deeply connected to the soil, living with the earth and protecting it.
Kantara is not just a movie; it is a reminder of an ancient belief system where nature, justice, and humanity are inseparable. Even today, the people of Tulu Nadu say, “If the forest survives, we survive.” That belief is the soul of Kantara.
“In the next thread, I’ll explore Guliga Daiva—the force of justice. Are these two Daivas one and the same, or entirely different? I'll explain in the next thread "
To be continued…
The Daiva shown in Kantara is Panjurli Daiva and Guliga Daiva ,a spirit deeply worshipped in the Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka.Let us begin with Panjurli Daiva.. According to one popular belief, long ago, Goddess Parvathi was walking through a dense forest when she saw a baby piglet crying beside its dead mother. Moved by compassion, she took the little one with her and raised it like her own child. As time passed, the piglet grew into a mighty wild boar with immense strength. But that power became restless. Annoyed by its growing tusks, the boar began destroying crops, plants, and food in the forest. The disturbance reached the heavens, and Lord Shiva became angry, preparing to punish the creature. At that moment, Parvathi intervened. She understood that the boar’s strength was not a flaw, but a force without direction. She declared that such power was not meant for the heavens, but for the Earth—to protect it, not destroy it. Accepting her words, Lord Shiva sent the boar down to Earth with a purpose. From that moment, the boar became Panjurli Daiva.
In Kantara, Panjurli is not shown as a god who fights with weapons. He is a guardian who moves with the land itself. People believe that villages which worship Panjurli are protected from crop destruction, disease, and injustice. During Daiva rituals, it is said that Panjurli walks around the village, placing an invisible shield of protection. Those who harm forests or disrespect nature are believed to face divine justice. That is why Panjurli appears in the form of a boar—an animal deeply connected to the soil, living with the earth and protecting it.
Kantara is not just a movie; it is a reminder of an ancient belief system where nature, justice, and humanity are inseparable. Even today, the people of Tulu Nadu say, “If the forest survives, we survive.” That belief is the soul of Kantara.
“In the next thread, I’ll explore Guliga Daiva—the force of justice. Are these two Daivas one and the same, or entirely different? I'll explain in the next thread "
To be continued…
Last edited:
